A spinal tumor is the formation of an abnormal growth somewhere along the spinal cord. Because the spine is the focal point of the nerves throughout the body, any sort of disparity often causes problems. With a tumor, be it benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous), its development and enlargement can place varying amounts of pressure on these nerves, causing many signs and symptoms in the individual.
Pain
For most people, a spinal tumor causes pain. As the tumor places pressure on the nerves of the spine, they become irritated and inflamed, resulting in pain. However, this pain isn't always isolated to the location of the tumor and can diffuse out into other regions of the body.
Numbness
Often accompanying pain is the symptom of numbness. When pressure is placed on a nerve, it not only elicits pain but restricts the impulses between the brain and the nerve endings. Wherever this nerve travels, the area can experience a loss of sensation. Most of the time, the symptom manifests in the legs, but it also may affect other areas of the body like the arms, hands and shoulders.
Motor Skills
While pain and numbness are two of the more common symptoms, a spinal tumor, especially larger growths, can also trigger problems with a person's motor skills. Most people will suffer a decrease in motor skills involving the legs, affecting their ability to walk or stand. For others, a tumor can cause problems in the arms, prompting issues with holding, clasping and carrying things.
Incontinence
For some people, a spinal tumor produces incontinence, especially in more advanced cases. If the tumor were to place enough pressure on the nerves responsible for the control of either the bladder or the bowel, a person could suffer a paralysis within one of these organs, causing urinary or bowel incontinence.
Paralysis
Much like the symptom of incontinence, a spinal tumor can cause paralysis but to a larger degree. When a tumor places enough pressure on a nerve that runs into the legs or the arms, it can essentially sever it. This leads to a complete loss of control over these extremities.
Tags: spinal tumor, enough pressure, motor skills, people spinal, people spinal tumor, pressure nerves